Scuticociliatosis caused by Philasterides dicentrarchi

The ciliate Philasterides dicentrarchi has been previously identified as a new agent of scuticociliatosis in marine fish. The parasite can cause high mortalities in fish reared on farms or kept in aquariums. P. dicentrarchi is usually a free-living protozoan but can become an opportunistic histophagous parasite causing rapid lethal systemic infections in cultured fish. This review provides information about the morphology and biology of the scuticociliate P. dicentrarchi, as well as information about the pathological and immunological reactions of the host in response to the infection with the parasite. The epidemiology and the control strategies of the disease are also reviewed.

Automated summary

Philasterides dicentrarchi has been identified as a new agent of scuticociliatosis in marine fish, causing high mortalities. While typically a free-living protozoan, it can become an opportunistic parasitic causing lethal infections in cultured fish. This review covers the morphology, biology, pathological and immunological reactions, as well as epidemiology and control strategies of the parasite.